How fast do you pull inflatables?

[dirtyoldman]

I went out a few weekends ago with our new boat (87 sea ray s21 with merc 260hp). I took the wife and my sister and her husband tubing. I was going about 25 mph, the minimum the boat would go without falling off plane. I actually had to apply a small amount of throttle around the corners or the boat would slow down and the tube would come real far around the side.

My wife told me that I was taking her a lot faster than we went on our old boat (which had no speedo, although RPM was similar and I was using the same prop). My sister said she got a bruise when she fell off.

I was being nice to them, it was choppy but the boat's wake wasn't too choppy out there until they went way around the side of me.

So, I was going to go slower next time - but I was wondering if I was just going too fast. Obviously it was too fast if they didn't have fun, but what do you guys pull tubers at?

All were adults in their 20's.

 

[df909]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

Our tube has a big warning on it indicating 15 mph for kids and 20 mph for adults. My cautious 10 y/o was happy going no faster than about 9 mph whereas my non-cautious 8 y/o was good around 18 mph.

I have a 20' I/O with a 4.3L and it was on plane maybe 1/4 the time.

 

[lncoop]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

I pull my seven year old at WOT around 18mph. I have to find wakes to take her over to keep her from getting bored.

 

[JCMINIS]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

8 yr old 10-15 mph
12yr old 15-25 mph
18yr old 25-35 mph

Myself like 25-35 mph

ALL realtive to water conditions and boat traffic.I do ask each of my kids if the want bumpy ride or smooth ride...95% of the time their reponse is "try to throw me off".

JC

 

[saxrulez]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

I recently went out with some friends(all 25-32 y/o guys in the military) it was pretty much wot the entire time(40ish mph). It got to the point where turns felt like if you let go, you might die. My wife however is definitely more of a 15-25mph kinda girl

 

[scipper77]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

25 is fast!! for a minimum speed. I'd say you might need trim tabs or the like to help the boat come to plane at a lower speed.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

25 is fast!! for a minimum speed. I'd say you might need trim tabs or the like to help the boat come to plane at a lower speed.

I was having fuel problems and playing with props. I am hoping some of my planing issues will be taken care of by doing that.

I had the same thought, this is the same way I drove the old boat, but I didn't realize I was going faster than I did with the old boat since I had no speedo to watch.

 

[ftl900]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

Few years ago we had a 17' I/O 4Winns bowrider boating on Lake Lanier near Atlanta, and we pulled the smaller ones on tubes at around 20, adults at 25 on tubes or kneeboard, and of course my wife pulled me at WOT+, whatever traffic would bear until I wiped out.

(I'm sure it had nothing to do with the upgraded insurance policy!!) *L*

25mph felt like a very respectable clip to be towed and when we hit 30-32, it was getting... exciting.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

Back in my younger (stupider) days we would pull each other on the tube with my Kawasaki 1100zxi 3cyl waverunner and in short bursts get up to about 50mph. Full throttle donuts were also experienced by all. Hitting the water at any faster than like 25mph hurts, at least to me it does.

 

[Rinker97]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

Me and my friends are always going 25-40mph lol. Nobodies been hurt yet thank God. The funniest part is flying off!! IMO.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

back in the old days, when it was really TUBING, on a tractor tube, as fast as the boat would go. with out the tube it ran 42mph.

 

[security6]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

When the kids are on (they're little), I keep it under 15 or so. If it is an adult, and they are willing, then it's WOT. Last time I was on the tube we flipped while getting ripped around. The boat was probably doing 35 or 40, so tube was going much faster. I ended up about 20 yards from my friend who was on the tube with me.

 

[Billdc]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

around 17-20 for 8-12 yo girls and 20-25 for the women. I found if I do more than 30MPH around a corner with my 10yo son(about 70lbs) the tube gets too much air under and won't come down, until it's upside down. For the first 5 minutes I try and let them dictate the speed, I never had anyone "ask" for more than 25 or so. If they are still on then I speed up in the corners to move them out a little further into the waves/wakes.

 

[KermieB]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

I pull experienced wake boarders and they want me to stay at around 21 mph. When I'm pulling towables I tell them they have four option on how I pull them:

A.) I'm a girl
B.) Take it easy.
C.) I'm all man.
D.) Give me hell.

It's not just speed, it's how hard I "sling" them around in circles.

 

[pontoonokie]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

back in the old days, when it was really TUBING, on a tractor tube, as fast as the boat would go. with out the tube it ran 42mph.

now those were the tubes.. i remember pulling a few in half .. those were fun .. i remember the first one we actually bought with a cover around the tube it lasted about 3 turns then ripped clean off.. we were hard on them.

my theory on speed for towables is like some of the others have said i allow the rider(s) to tell up or down.. i pull a wide range of experence.. my 10yo always wants more speed and bumps.. wife and 6 yo want a slow sight seeing tour of the lake.. the guy group in our sunday school class we get after wot.. it's all relative to the riders security and fun. i want everyone to be safe and have a good time..

 

[JimMH]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

everyone is different. 14 year old son and his friends 25-30, 8 year old daughter and her friends 20 max. Lazy, no gas buying, Brother-in-law, WOT!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: How fast do you pull inflatables?

I think the challenge of "Try to dump me" determines my speed.
Actually, it's not the speed, it's when you push the throttle.
Throttle applied mid-turn will really whip a tube around.